Lamp bulb with tubular base portion having three notches therein to maintain conductors separated



3,529,202 NOTCHES p 1970 A J. TAORMINA LAMP BULB WITH TUBULAR BASE PORTION HAVING THREE D E m A R A P E n8 8 6 09 l C U D9 N1 0 l n N Ip AA T d 1e 1 M F 0 m N I E DH E H T I.\'VE\"T()R ANTHONY d TAORM/NA BY 5 W Y;

A 7' TOR/V5 Y5 United States Patent Office 3,529,202 Patented Sept. 15, 1970 U.S. Cl. 313-318 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lamp bulb having a sealed glass envelope and having at least one filament therein. A sealed end of the envelope includes a concave depression and the sealed end is inserted into and bonded in the open end of a cup-shaped base. The base includes a tubular member extending longitudinally along the axis of the base and into the concave depression abutting the sealed end of the envelope. The end of the tubular member has notches thereon and the base includes a plurality of passages therein-A plurality of electrical conductors extend from the filament through the individual notches and passages and into electrical terminals extending from the closed end of the cup-shaped base, the notches and passages maintaining the conductors separated from each other. The sealed end of the envelope carries an exhaust tube which extends into the tubular member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a lamp and, more particularly, to a new and improved signal lamp bulb.

The combination of an evacuated glass envelope containing an incandescent filament with a cup-shaped base has been practiced in prior lamp constructions. One such combination is shown, for example, in the U.S. patent to Lamb, Pat. No. 2,615,950, issued Oct. 28, 1952. In these prior lamps, the filament within the evacuated envelope is connected with electrical terminals extending from the base by conductor wires which connect the filament and the terminals and extend through a sealing stern and sealed end of the evacuated envelope. Usually in such prior lamp combinations, a relatively large space obtains between the sealed end of the envelope and the terminal or closed end of the cup-shaped base. Since the conductors must pass through this space on their way to the terminals, the conductors are susceptible to contact with each other due to their relative freedom of mobility within the space. Thus, the probability of a short circuit and consequent destruction of the lamp is high. The probability of such contact is substantially increased where the lamp is of a multi-filament nature, such as the signal lamp utilized for the stop, parking, and turn signal indicators for an automobile. Where the lamp is of a multi-filament variety, the number of necessar conductors which pass through the space, is increased. Moreover, in the prior lamps, the evacuated glass envelope is generally anchored to the base only about the open end of the cup-shaped base. Thus, the lamp is somewhat susceptible to separation of the envelope from the base when jarred or twisted and when separated, the likelihood of short circuiting is substantially increased.

A lamp constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior lamps. More specifically, such lamp is constructed to positively separate the conductor wires as they leave the sealed end of the glass envelope and maintain the conductors in a separated condition, preventing the possibility of short circuits and destruction of the lamp. Moreover, a lamp constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention substantially reduces the possibility of separation of the envelope from the base not only by anchoring the envelope at the open cup-shaped end of the base, but also by supporting the envelope and base against twisting or movement with relation to each other. The base structure of such a lamp is also able to be completely sealed, thus preventing undesirable moisture and foreign matter from entering the base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a principal aspect, a lamp constructed in accordance With the principles of my invention includes an evacuated sealed translucent envelope having an electrical filament therein and having an exhaust tube extending from a sealed end of the envelope. The sealed end of the envelope is inserted into the open end of a cup-shaped base and firmly attached therein. Spaced electrical terminals extend from the closed end of the cup-shaped base and appropriate electrical conductors extend from the electrical terminals through the sealed end of the envelope to the filament. A tubular member, integral with the base, extends longitudinally along the axis of the base; the end of the tubular member being disposed adjacent the sealed end of the envelope and the exhaust tube of the envelope 'being inserted into the tubular member. The end of the tubular member is constructed to separate the conductors from each other and maintain the conductors separated at all times to prevent short circuiting of the conductors.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of this description, reference will frequently be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a lamp constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation cross-sectioned view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the base of the lamp.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of my invention is shown and includes an evacuated sealed glass envelope 10 which is inserted into a base 12. Located within the envelope 10 are a pair of incandescent filament wires 14 and 16 such as frequently employed in signal lamp bulbs utilized for stop, parking, and turn signal indicator bulbs for automobiles and other vehicles. The glass envelope 10 is sealed at one end 18. The sealed end 18 carries a pluralit of ribs 20 on its outer circumference, to provide a suitable surface for the adhesion of an appropriate adhesive 22 for securing the envelope to the base 12.

The sealed end 18 of the envelope 10 is inserted in the open end of the cup-shaped base 12 and the ribbed portion of the sealed end is bonded by a suitable adhesive 22 to the inner surface of the base 12. The sealed end 18 of the envelope 10 includes a concave depression 24. A conventional exhaust tube 26 extends downwardly from the center fo the depression 24 and a seal stem 28 extends upwardly therefrom. The exhaust tube 26 is received in a tubular member 30 which is formed integrally with the base 12. The tubular member 30 extends from the closed end 32 of the cup-shaped base 12 toward its open end and into the concave depression 24 of the envelope. The end of tubular member 30 abuts the sealed end 18 of the envelope adjacent the seal stem 28 and carries a plurality of notches 34, 35 and 36 (as best seen in FIG. 3), the purpose of which will later be described in more detail. The base 12 also includes a relatively solid portion 38 which surrounds the tubular member 30 and extends from the closed end 32 of the cup-shaped base to a point near the sealed end 18 of the envelope 10. A plurality of passages 40, 41 and 42, each being aligned with one of the notches 34, 35 and 36 respectively, extend through the solid portion 38 of the base and communicate with the exterior of the base 12. Electrical terminals 44, 45 and 46 extend from the lower end of each of the passages 40, 41 and 42, respectively. Each of the terminals may be swedged at 48 upon an annular shoulder 50 in the end of each of the passages adjacent the closed end of the base. A latch shoulder 51 is carried on the exterior of the base 12 for holding the lamp in an appropriate socket (not shown).

A plurality of conductors 52, 53, 54 and 55 are provided for electrical connection of the electrical terminals 44, 45 and 46 with the appropriate filaments 14 and 16. Electrical conductor 52 passes from terminal 46 in which it is connected, through passage 42, into the concave depression 24 between the sealed end 18 of the envelope and the tubular member 30, through notch 36 in the end of the tubular member 30, through the seal stem 28 and to one end of filament 14. A second conductor 53 is alfixed within terminal 45, passes through passage 41, into the concave depression 24 between the sealed end 18 of the envelope 10 and the tubular member 30, through notch 35, into the seal stem 28, and is attached to one end of the other filament 16. The electrical circuits through each of the filaments 14 and 16 are completed by connecting them to ground via conductors 54 and 55. Conductors 54 and 55 are attached to the other end of filaments 14 and 16, respectively, pass down through the seal stem 28, through the notch 34 in the end of the tubular member 30, and pass into the concave depression 24 between the sealed end 18 of the envelope 10 and the tubular member 30 through the passage 40 and are firmly affixed to the interior of electrical terminal 44. The conductors 54 and 55 might be joined together at a suitable point and only one need continue into electrical terminal 44 and be alfixed thereto.

It will be evident when considering the above description of the preferred embodiment of my invention, that a lamp is provided in which the conductors are separated and maintained separated by the notches 34, 35 and 36 at the end of the tubular member 30 and the passages 40, 41 and 42 through the solid portion 38 of the base 12. As a result, the likelihood of short circuits and consequent destruction of the lamp is substantially reduced. Moreover, the sealed end of the envelope 10 is abutted by the end of the tubular member 30 adjacent its seal stem 28 providing additional support for the lamp on the base other than onl at its point of afiixation at the open end of the cup-shaped base. In addition the extension of the exhaust tube 26 into the tubular member 30, provides added support against lateral movement of the envelope and base and acts as a guide during insertion of the envelope in the base. The added support substantially reduces the possibility of damage to the assembly due to either lateral or longitudinal jarring or vibration of the envelope or the base.

It should be understood that the embodiment of the invention which has been described is merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modification may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A lamp including a sealed evacuated translucent envelope having at least one electrical filament therein and having an exhaust tube extending from a sealed end thereof a cup-shaped base having an open end and a closed end,

said sealed end of said envelope being inserted in and firmly attached at the open end of said base,

at least a pair of electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending externally from the base,

at least a pair of electrical conductors extending through said sealed end of said envelope and electrically connecting said filament with said terminals,

the improvement comprising;

a tubular member integral with said base and extending longitudinally along the axis of said base toward said sealed end of said envelope, the end of said tubular member being disposed closely adjacent said sealed end of said envelope, said exhaust tube extending into said tubular member, and

at least a pair of notches separated from each other on the end of said tubular member closely adjacent said sealed end, but external of said evacuated portion of said envelope, said conductors extending from said sealed end into said tubular member and thence through respective ones of said notches to the exterior of said tubular member whereby said notches maintain each of said electrical conductors separated from each other.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said sealed end of said envelope includes, a concave depression therein, said exhaust tube being disposed substantially in the center of said depression, said tubular member extending beyond the open end of said base and into said concave depression.

3. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said base includes a substantially solid portion extending from said closed end of said base to adjacent said sealed end of said envelope, said solid portion having passages spaced from each other and communicating with said electrical terminals for the accommodation of said electrical conductors.

4. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said electrical terminals extend in a direction parallel to said tubular member.

5. The lamp of claim 1 including first and second filaments,

first, second and third electrical terminals spaced from each other and extending externally of the base from said closed end thereof. first and second electrical conductors electrically connecting said first and second filaments with said first and second electrical terminals, respectively,

electrical conductor means electrically connecting said first and second filaments with said third electrical terminal, and

said tubular member having three of said notches, each of said first and second electrical conductors and said conductor means being disposed in a different one of said notches.

6. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said base includes a shoulder on its external surface for holding said lamp in a socket.

7. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said end of said tubular member abuts said sealed end of said envelope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,076,582 4/1937 Linder 313-318 X 1,997,478 4/1935 White 313317 X 909,438 1/ 1909 Merritt 313-314 FOREIGN PATENTS 960,369 3/ 1957 Germany. 542,672 4/1956 Italy.

JOHN W. HUCKERT, Primary Examiner B. ESTRIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 313-316, 317 

